@postaday 256; #postaday2011.
Late entry, so I apologize. We had a heck of a ride today. John and I intended to put in at least 50 miles. But a puncture over by the Hawaii Kai Golf Course, thanks to a punk who likes to drink Heineken while in a car and then throw it out so it smashes on the road, squeezed the brakes on that. Oh, we did proceed to Diamond Head, and by the time we got home it was sunny and bright, but the torrential rain, which felt more like being shot out of a tube while surfing in the wind (stinging salt water spraying at you so hard it hurts), that we had had our fill after about 30 miles.
My Garmin quit only five miles into the ride, so it only got the pain of my first hill on record. What’s funny is that while we were taking a little break at Makapu’u, we heard some military guys talk about how they were doing the Century route to Swanzy Beach Park so we gave them some advice about missing the glass along the back roads of Waimanalo. Well, glass found me!
I know that I am lucky that John rides with me and therefore is handy to change out a tube, but I do wish I could do it myself. He’s funny. He told me to relax and enjoy the break while he did the dirty work. He requested some damp hand wipes for my repair kit bag and I’ll do that if I can. I washed his jersey and his arm sleeves three times today trying to get out the stains from the rain and the grease from changing my back tube, because it’s always the back tube. It was so nice that nearly every bicyclist, either on our side of the road or on the other side of Kalanianaole Highway, inquired if we needed any help. Bicyclists are special people. We look out for each other. We even look out for YOU.
What a ride. It’s exhilerating to ride a bicycle, no matter what’s going on. Add the elements of whipsy doodly weather and there’s another dimension. Add building traffic and there you go with more drama.. But throw in a few bust-up Heineken bottles and you’ve totally effed up someone’s morning ride.
You know, I love Hawaii. I love that people want to come here. But you know who throws beer bottles out the window of a moving car? Let me give you a hint: It isn’t a tourist.
Here’s to the City and County sweeping Oahu roads in anticipation of next Sunday’s Century Ride. Mayor Carlisle? Mahalo!
Lavagal 
hey, a puncture is no big deal. i’m surprised you don’t get more of them. it was the drenching that took the wind out of my sails. when the rain washed the sunscreen into my eyes so i couldn’t see, it really ticked me off. then my socks got soaked. true, it turned into a gorgeous riding day by the time we were headed back east, but i was pretty worn out, and being as i was facing a full day at work following our ride, i was happy to cut it short to 30-whatever miles. i’ll pay for it next sunday, but at that point this morning, i was ready to get to the bike-washing chores and on to other things.
what was really great was everyone that checked on us. dozens of cyclists on both sides of the highway, and just about everyone making sure we were ok. how cool is that?
oh, and it’s my own dang fault for getting so dirty. i should keep your chain cleaner. my sun sleeve looked like i was rubbing your freewheel on it in some weird spirograph experiment. careless! the stains on that jersey aren’t from today. i think those might even be from the last century ride when i got sprayed with a bunch of road crappola in kahuku. yes, my hong kong knockoff saxobank jersey has been thoroughly christened.